Self-Poisoning

Abstract

The experience of self-poisoning at Stracathro Hospital during 1961–70 has been reviewed. The annual incidence among adult medical admissions rose from 0.7 per cent to 3.1 per cent. It involved mainly the young, the female, the urban dweller, and a relatively high proportion of single, divorced or separated subjects, and occurred mainly at the weekends. Depression was the common associated psychiatric disorder. Suicide was intended more frequently than is noted in the cities.